Device and method for flaring tubing

ABSTRACT

A device or method for flaring nylon or plastic tubings while on a tube-bending fixture, without the necessity of flaring in the assembly process so the tube can be inserted with a coupler or connector. A first embodiment includes a tapered post having a bi-metallic spring mounted thereon. A second embodiment includes a tapered movable piston for forming the flare in the tube.

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a device and a methodfor flaring tubing.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a device andmethod for the flaring of nylon or plastic tubing while on atube-bending fixture, while eliminating the need to flare the tubeduring an assembly process so the tube can be inserted with a coupler orconnector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Heretofore, various devices and techniques have been employed forflaring tubing.

[0004] Ridenour U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,618, entitled “TUBE FITTING ASSEMBLYMETHOD WITH DEFORMABLE SEAL”, discloses a tube fitting assembly whereina ductile metal tube is forced into first and second orifices within afitting.

[0005] Vaughan U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,525, entitled “END CLOSURE FORFLEXIBLE PLASTIC TUBES”, discloses a technique wherein the ends offlexible plastic tubes, particularly of relatively thin thickness, areclosed with a cylindrical header or end plug over which an end of theplastic tube is fitted.

[0006] Chapman, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,132, entitled “CONTROL METHODFOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ORIENTED PLASTIC TUBES”, discloses a method ofexpanding a tube of plastics material in which a longitudinallytraveling tube is progressively diametrically expanded in internal fluidpressure in an expansion zone between an upstream plug and an expandabledownstream plug.

[0007] It is a desideratum of the present invention to provide a noveland unique device and method of flaring nylon or plastic tubes, whileavoiding the animadversions of the conventional devices and techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a device for flaring a tube,comprising a body member; a tapered member for insertion into said tube;and said body member being operably connected with said tapered memberand from which said tapered member extends.

[0009] The present invention also provides a device for flaring a tube,comprising: a main body member; said main body member including a hollowcylindrical portion; a movable piston within said hollow cylindricalportion of said main body member; a mounting bracket connected to orforming part of said main body member; a cap member securable to saidmain body member for keeping said piston in said main body member andstopping the movement of said piston, while permitting said flare to beformed on said tube.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to flare nylon orplastic tubing while on a tube-bending fixture.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide adevice and method which eliminates the need to flare the tubing duringan assembly process so that the tube can be inserted with a coupler orconnector.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide afirst embodiment which utilizes a bi-metal spring end stop.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provideanother embodiment wherein a piston end stop is employed for producingthe flare.

[0014] Further objects, advantages and features of the present inventionwill become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area oftechnology, and to others, after having been exposed to the detaileddescription set forth herein below in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an elevational view which illustrates a first preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 depicts the flat bi-metal spring component of the FIG. 1embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating a second preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the stop ring component of theFIG. 3 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed herein below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0020]FIG. 1 shows the device 1 for flaring a tube (not shown), with thedevice 1 comprising a main body member 2 having a cylindrical cavity 3formed at one end 4 thereof. Extending from the cylindrical cavity 3 isa tapered member 5 for insertion into the tube to be flared.

[0021] Preferably, but not necessarily, the main body member 2 can befabricated from a high grade of aluminum, or cast or machined out of anysuitable metal stock.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a substantially flat bi-metal spring member 6. Thespring member 6 is fabricated, preferably, but not necessarily, with twocurved end portions 7 and 8.

[0023]FIG. 1 shows the spring member 6 wound on the tapered post ormember 5, with the spring member 6 extending below the furthermostexterior surface 4 of the main body member 2. The bi-metal spring member6 is placed on the tapered post or member 5 so as not to cause anyunwanted weak spots in the tube wall of the tube to be flared. Thespring member 6 extends beneath the furthermost external surface 4 ofthe main body member 2 to avoid getting the tube curled over the end.

[0024] All components of the device 1 are coated with Teflon to helploading, unloading and reducing wear. Such Teflon coating also preventsthe tube from sticking to the various components.

[0025] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated and described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0026] The flaring device 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a main bodymember 11 provided with a mounting bracket portion 12. The main bodymember 11 is provided with a cylindrical opening 13 therein.

[0027] A moveable piston 14 is fitted within the cylindrical opening 13of the main body member 11. Between the piston 14 and the main bodymember 11 there is formed an air or fluid pocket 15. In the area of suchfluid pocket 15 in the main body member 11 there is provided a meteringAllen screw 16 to facilitate assembly and to provide a way to adjust thepiston 14.

[0028] A cap member 17 in the form of a stop ring is threadably securedto the body member 11 to hold the piston 14 within the body member 11,and to limit the upward movement of the piston 14.

[0029] It should be noted that the piston 14 is provided with a slighttaper in the piston shaft 18. The piston 14 is provided with aflare-angled shoulder 19 which comes into contact with the tube in orderto flare the end of the tube.

[0030] The stop ring 17 allows the piston 14 to travel without comingout of the body member. The internal aperture 20 in the stop ring 17 isjust a fraction smaller than the internal diameter of the bore of thecylinder 13.

[0031] The stop ring 17 is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposedholes 21 and 22 for accommodating a wrench (not shown) for threading thestop ring 17 onto the main body member 11.

[0032] As with the first embodiment described above, all components ofthe second embodiment are also coated with Teflon to assist in loading,unloading and reducing wear, and to prevent sticking of the tube to thecomponents.

[0033] Both of the above-described embodiments of the present inventionpermit the flaring of nylon or plastic tubing while on a tube-bendingfixture, without the need to flare the tube during an assembly processso the tube can be inserted with a coupler or a connector.

[0034] Heat from associated ovens will cause movement to flare the tube.When the fixture device 1 or 10 is cooled in a dip tank or a cold waterspray, it will deactivate and the tubes can be removed and the fixturedevice 1 or 10 reloaded.

[0035] All portions of the end stop devices 1 and 10 should be Tefloncoated to help in loading, unloading, and to assist in increasing wearperformance.

[0036] Preferably, but not necessarily, the spring member should befabricated from heavy duty metallic material.

[0037] Preferably, but not necessarily, the stops should be fabricatedof aluminum or stainless steel.

[0038] Also, any necessary steel should be of industrial grade.

[0039] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is forpurposes of illustration only, and not for limitation.

[0040] It should further be understood that various modifications,variations, and changes will acer to those persons skilled in this areaof technology and to others after having been exposed to the presentpatent application.

[0041] All such modifications, changes, and variations are intended tobe embraced within the scope of the present invention as set forth inthe claims hereinbelow.

1. A device for flaring a tube, comprising: a body member; a taperedmember for insertion into said tube; and said body member being operablyconnected with said tapered member and from which said tapered memberextends.
 2. A device according to claim 1, including: a substantiallyflat bi-metal spring member wound around said tapered member.
 3. Adevice according to claim 2, wherein: said substantially flat bi-metalspring member is provided with at least one curved end portion.
 4. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein: said body member and said taperedmember are coated with Teflon.
 5. A device according to claim 2,wherein: said body member, said tapered member, and said substantiallyflat bi-spring member are Teflon coated.
 6. A device according to claim3, wherein: said body member, said tapered member, and saidsubstantially flat bi-spring member are Teflon coated.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said body member includes a concavecylindrical portion; a first predetermined surface which is coplanarwith one base of said concave cylindrical portion; a secondpredetermined surface which is parallel to said first predeterminedsurface, and which is coplanar with another base of said concavecylindrical portion; and said tapered member extends from said secondpredetermined surface of said body member.
 8. A device according toclaim 2, wherein: said body member includes a concave cylindricalportion; a first predetermined surface which is coplanar with one baseof said concave cylindrical portion; a second predetermined surfacewhich is parallel to said first predetermined surface, and which iscoplanar with another base of said concave cylindrical portion; saidtapered member extends from said second predetermined surface of saidbody member; and said substantially flat bi-spring member extends fromsecond said predetermined surface and traverses the plane of said firstpredetermined surface.
 9. A device according to claim 3, wherein: saidbody member includes a concave cylindrical portion; a firstpredetermined surface which is coplanar with one base of said concavecylindrical portion; a second predetermined surface which is parallel tosaid first predetermined surface, and which is coplanar with anotherbase of said concave cylindrical portion; said tapered member extendsfrom said second predetermined surface of said body member; and saidsubstantially flat bi-spring member extends from second saidpredetermined surface and traverses the plane of said firstpredetermined surface.
 10. A device according to claim 4, wherein: saidbody member includes a concave cylindrical portion; a firstpredetermined surface which is coplanar with one base of said concavecylindrical portion; a second predetermined surface which is parallel tosaid first predetermined surface, and which is coplanar with anotherbase of said concave cylindrical portion; said tapered member extendsfrom said second predetermined surface of said body member; and saidsubstantially flat bi-spring member extends from second saidpredetermined surface and traverses the plane of said firstpredetermined surface.
 11. A device according to claim 5, wherein: saidbody member includes a concave cylindrical portion; a firstpredetermined surface which is coplanar with one base of said concavecylindrical portion; a second predetermined surface which is parallel tosaid first predetermined surface, and which is coplanar with anotherbase of said concave cylindrical portion; said tapered member extendsfrom said second predetermined surface of said body member; and saidsubstantially flat bi-spring member extends from second saidpredetermined surface and traverses the plane of said firstpredetermined surface.
 12. A device according to claim 6, wherein: saidbody member includes a concave cylindrical portion; a firstpredetermined surface which is coplanar with one base of said concavecylindrical portion; a second predetermined surface which is parallel tosaid first predetermined surface, and which is coplanar with anotherbase of said concave cylindrical portion; said tapered member extendsfrom said second predetermined surface of said body member; and saidsubstantially flat bi-spring member extends from second saidpredetermined surface and traverses the plane of said firstpredetermined surface.
 13. A device for flaring a tube, comprising: amain body member; said main body member including a hollow cylindricalportion; a movable piston within said hollow cylindrical portion of saidmain body member; a mounting bracket connected to or forming part ofsaid main body member; and a cap member securable to said main bodymember for keeping said piston in said main body member and stopping themovement of said piston, while permitting said flare to be formed onsaid tube.
 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein: said movablepiston is provided with a tapered shoulder to be pushed into said tubeto be flared.
 15. A device according to claim 13, wherein: said capmember comprises a stop ring which will allow said piston to travelwithout coming out of said main body member; said stop ring having aninner diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of saidcylindrical portion; and said stop ring and said main body member areprovided with threads which permits said stop ring to be threaded intosaid main body member to hold said piston therein, while allowing saidpiston to travel back and forth within said main body member.
 16. Adevice according to claim 14, wherein: said cap member comprises a stopring which will allow said piston to travel without coming out of saidmain body member; said stop ring having an inner diameter which isslightly smaller than the inner diameter of said cylindrical portion;and said stop ring and said main body member are provided with threadswhich permits said stop ring to be threaded into said main body memberto hold said piston therein, while allowing said piston to travel backand forth within said main body member.
 17. A device according to claim13, wherein: said piston comprises a base and a tapered portionextending from said base; and said base is provided with a shoulderthereon.
 18. A device according to claim 13, wherein: an air or fluidpocket is formed between said main body member and said piston.
 19. Adevice according to claim 18, wherein: there is provided in said mainbody member in the vicinity of said air or fluid pocket a metering Allenscrew to facilitate assembly of the device and to provide a way toadjust said piston within said main body member.
 20. A device accordingto claim 15, wherein: said stop ring is provided with a pair ofdiametrically-opposed holes for accommodating a wrench to facilitatethreading said stop ring onto said main body member.